1. Potential Pointed… Poised over vast expanse. Clean.
Pen Purposefully
Pointed…
Poised over vast expanse.
Clean.
White. Temporarily barren.
Perfect stillness.
Focused. Pensive.
Thoughts burst forth.
Words take on new meaning.

2. Essay & Paragraph Template 30 Minute Timed Writing
Paragraph #1: Thesis Paragraph
Includes Thesis Sentence & 2 Sub-Thesis Points
Paragraphs #2-4: Support & Development
Topic Sentence (Sub-Thesis Point)
Explanation
Illustration
Transition
Paragraph #5: Conclusion
Wrap-up & Restate

3. Rewrite Exemplar: 30 minute in-class essay
Tim O’Brien felt he was a coward for going to war because he gave in to outside opinions. His statement, “I was a coward. I went to war,” illustrates his feelings in that he allowed societal pressures to overrule what he felt in his heart was correct. The result of O’Brien’s lack of integrity creates doubt, fear, and guilt. In The Things They Carried, Tim O’Brien becomes a metaphor for situational morality.

4. Rewrite Exemplar: 30 minute in-class essay
In The Things They Carried, Tim O’Brien becomes a metaphor for situational morality. Tim O’Brien felt he was a coward for going to war because he gave in to outside opinions. His statement, “I was a coward. I went to war,” illustrates his feelings in that he allowed societal pressures to overrule what he felt in his heart was correct. The result of O’Brien’s lack of integrity creates doubt, fear, and guilt.